ok so im thinkin of detailin the truck this weekend and have a few things. i know i need a clay bar and im gettin one. so here it is

Turtle wax polish
Meguiars cleaner wax
Meguiars yellow 26 carnuba wax

ok so... should i wash, clay bar, polish, put cleaner wax on, then finish with the yellow wax or what?

 

sounds like a good plan, your going to love the way your paint feels when your done using the clay bar
IMO i like meguiars nxt wax a little better.

 

Did you already buy these products or plan too?

The cleaner wax and polish will be doing similar things, they both are used to remove swirls, and holograms.

What color is the paint and what condition is it in?

Are you doing it all by hand?

sorry alot of questions just trying to help

 

go ahead and omit the cleaner wax out of the equation. after clay, it would be an unnecessary step. with what you have, you should thoroughly wash you vehicle with something like dawn soap and water. then proceed to claybar.(if you have 100% shade, you can wash the truck with soap and water, rinse, then reapply soap in small areas and use it as a lube to clay bar. better alternative to washing, drying, then having to lube again to clay.) once you finish clay, chamois dry, followed by once over with a leaf blower to extract water from the cracks. by this point, your paint surface should be clean enough to work with. keep in mind, no matter how mild the clay, it will leave very small scratches behind. almost positive that turtle wax hand polishing will not get them out. i havent used that product, but from past experience, i would say that hand polishing would be another wasted step.(your arms will be dead with little to no improvement in shine) your best bet would be to clay it very good, then apply that yellow 26(yay bananas). a small hint to go that extra mile, spend alot of time cleaning your fender wells and behind areas where road grime is thrown. allow full strength purple power set under them for 20 seconds or so and scrub like you dont know any better. you may have to repeat but it is all worth it when you can eat off them. it will really make a difference when you see the end product. also, after claying the entire truck(above the side molding line) clay in those spots where your tires sling. the more you remove the better. later on down the road, you might want to invest in a fairly inexpensive porter cable orbital and a orange pad. you wouldnt believe the capabilities you have with one of those in hand.

 

Ive tried alot of products by hand and have never really been satisfied.
Just clean it good, and keep the clay really lubricated so you dont add to whats already there(swirl and marring wise).

 

SAME HERE

 

i dont know if theres any truth to it, but i heard that a clay bar actually removes i little bit of clear coat when you use it

 

Maybe a little but not as much as compounding an buffing

 

hey have you guys seen this http://www.smartwax-usa.com/ProductD...Code=SW%2DCLAY

 

I would just get meguires or mothers, pretty much all brands are made by the same company and repackaged when it comes to clay.
The main thing that makes the difference is how you lube it up, not enough lube and you will dig in